Adult Beginner Roller Skaters – 8 Tips For New & Returning Roller Skaters

By Marcie Hill

Roller skating is a fun, recreational activity. It is not for the lazy or the faint of heart. When skaters float like angels on wheels, they have put in vast hours of training and practice to master their craft. For persons ages 30 and over who are interested in skating for the first time or are returning after a long hiatus, consider the following advice.

Buy Good Roller Skates
The first action any roller skater should take is to purchase a good pair of roller skates. They can be new or used. Ask about the quality of the boot, wheels and bearings. Expect to pay at least $50 for a used pair or at least $100 for a new pair depending on the location of purchase and model of skates.

Although buying from department and warehouse stores is tempting due to the low cost, resist the urge to do so. Stores specializing in skating gear are highly recommended for two reasons. First, customers are guaranteed to receive guidance on the best skates for their skill level and budget. Second, all of their needs and questions will be addressed by experts of the activity.

Take Lessons
Research or call local roller skating rinks to find out if they offer lessons. Make sure that the location, days, and time fit comfortably into your schedule. Visit the rink to view the teaching style and abilities of the instructors. Check out at least three rinks to determine a fit for your needs.

Skate Often
Many new and returning adult skaters practice only during their lessons, which is generally once a week for about an hour. This is not enough. As with any skill, practice is crucial to success. Try to skate at least 2-3 times a week at different rinks to sharpen skills and enhance confidence.

Watch other skaters
Some adult skaters are extraordinary on wheels; others cannot skate well at all. Everyone has his/her own skating style. Pick out the skaters whose style you like, and ask them for guidance.

Choose Advice Carefully
When skaters know you are new or returning, everyone will offer an opinion. While it is Ok to listen because you can learn from each encounter, be selective about whose advice to follow. Be sure to adhere to the guidance of the roller skaters you have watched and admired.

Relax & Bend
Some skaters may zoom past while others simply glide gracefully around the rink. Whatever the speed of those in the immediate surroundings, do not freak out — relax and bend your knees. Bent knees are the main signs of relaxed roller skaters. They also help your wheels roll. So, stay relaxed and bend.

Be Patient
Excellent roller skaters practice and train for years before earning their “excellent” status. In fact, many good skaters will admit that they still have things to learn. Be patient with yourself and learn at your own pace for maximum effectiveness.

Have fun
With all of the techniques and skills needed to be a good skater, the ultimate goal of roller skating is to have a good time. Take the above advice provided and let the good times roll!

Marcie Hill is a published journalist, business writer and blogger. She has been writing, editing and publishing her monthly inspirational newsletter, Shorty In Da House, for nearly seven years. Ms. Hill’s works can be be read in her newsletter at http://www.goshorty.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcie_Hill

Want Some Speed – How About Roller Skates

By Zach Hunt

Most people remember professional roller girls playing roller derby from TV during the 1970’s. Skaters race around an oval track and score points as the jammer laps members of the opposing team’s modern roller girls are not paid or on tv but they play because they love the sport. In 2001, long after America forgot about roller derby, a group of fierce women from Texas set about reviving the sport. In 2006, ’s own group of fierce females banded together to create ’s first and only roller derby league. Three years later the Lilac City Roller Girls continue to whip, block, jam and skate women of all ages into shape.

There are benefits:

Skating works every major muscle group on the body
Great for your core stability and cardio
Skating moderately will burn 330 calories

Under the vigorous training of the Lilac City Roller Girls, your body will burn 600 calories in one hour (that’s more than 1 hour running or biking)

What will it take for you to join the roller girls?

Obviously, you need the proper equipment. The Lilac City Roller Girls list quad roller skates, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, mouth guard and a helmet as your best bet for staying safe. Once your gear is secure, the “fresh meat” coach will take you under her wing to teach you the ropes. There are physical tests you will have to pass to join the ranks of skaters. ’s roller girls are ready and willing to teach you the skills to pass the test necessary for team placement.

Endurance 20 min of skating to warm up
Posture and stride
Speed 5 laps in one minute 20 laps in five minutes, 3 second recovery from falls
Agility crossovers, stops, hopping from foot to foot, whips and pushed, pacing lines, weaving lines, and one foot gluides
Falls left and right knees, baseball slides, single knew and turn and four point fall
Blocking giving and receiving hits

Under the Lilac City brand, roller girls range in age from 18 to 47 in the adult league.They also have a junior league designed for girls 10-18. You have to love the roller derby. These women come together to form a non profit league that is completely run by the athletes. It takes physical dedication, a commitment to the league and your team, a competitive edge and a love for the community that supports them.

Realistically I’m not interested in becoming a Roller Girl, but skating could be fun.

Zach Hunt is a Spokane Boot Camp expert and the owner of Physzique, a personal fitness coaching company in Spokane, WA helping people to look and feel great.

Go here: Personal Trainers Spokane for more info on these services and more great fitness tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zach_Hunt

Roller Skates – Taken Apart

By: Nathan Hicks

Parts of a skate

Roller skating is a good recreational endeavor. While it is a fun activity for families, there are also roller skating competitions that may put you are risk of injuries. It is always important to know your skates well like a friend. Know what type of skates you need to ensure that you will be able to choose the best skates that will be good for your use.

What are the parts of a skate?

Knowing the parts will help you know your skate better, this is important to help you use your skates well.

• The boot
• Frame
• Bearings
• Wheels
• Brakes or stops

The boot

The boot is the part of the skate that you will wear on your feet. Some boots are hard, some are soft, and some boots are high-cut while others want it low cut for more ankle flexibility.

There are disciplines of roller-skating that necessitates hard boot. Hard boots are used for many disciplines to protect the foot from impact and for better control of the sakes.

Recreational skating however prefers soft boots for comfortable riding.

If you are engaging in an aggressive skating, hard boot or hard booth with soft inner support will help you skate well.

Frame

The frame is the part of a skate that will support the wheels and attach it to the boot. The frame is important to be strong enough especially for competitive skating. The frame for a recreational skates is usually made of high-grade plastic.

For speed skating frames, they are usually built out of carbon fiber or extruded aluminum. They are more expensive but solid enough to protect the skater during competitions.

Frames made of magnesium or pressed aluminum is likewise used in some specialized skates.

Bearings

Ball bearings are used for the wheels to rotate smoothly and freely. Some bearings differ in precision tolerance, depending on the type of wheels and bearings combination, you will need to understand how to check it if they are worn out already so you know when to change them if necessary.

Wheels

The size of the wheels used in roller skating depends on the need of the various skating disciplines. Some of the common wheel sizes include the following

• 44-59mm for aggressive skating
• 68-72mm for artistic inline skating
• 47-80mm for roller hockey
• 72-80mm for freestyle slalom skating
• 72-90mm for general recreational skating
• 84-110mm for speed skating

Some wheels are made of plastic while some are made of rubber. Common plastic wears out easily and thus some competitive skates need to use polyurethane or high-grade plastic.

This is to ensure that you will be protected when you skate.

Brakes or stops

This is the part of a skate that is important to avoid accidents for beginners. Breaks or stops may be used under the heel or under the toe. This will ensure that young or beginning skaters will not hit the wall or lamppost when they skate.

However, for competitive skaters, the need for breaks may not be necessary because it may cause then to trip as they do the tricks.

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